14 replies to this topic

[coastercrazy10]

Hey all, been a long time since I've built anything. As is quite evident tube supports have become extremely popular and models look more realistic than ever.

However, having shunned away from tube supports since first using them on Nitro's lift I haven't really been keeping up with the so called "theory" behind tube supports. I've been looking at some of steel spectrum's coasters (among others) to try and get an idea of how these things can provide the support needed for weighted trains and re-enforced track. After a few hours of looking I built my own little support:



I like how it looks (for a first try, I know it's rudimentary), but I don't like its strength. The joins are quite strong as expected, but the tubes themselves buckle and sway with the slightest bit of force on them. I've seen SS successfully complete many coasters using 4 rods instead of the standard 8, but is this the source of the weakness? I'm just looking for a bit of info/critique on this so I can get a better understanding of them.

-Ben

[Jogumpie]

I've seen SS successfully complete many coasters using 4 rods instead of the standard 8, but is this the source of the weakness?

In short: yes. Layer your grey rods four by four. Take a look at this picture, you'll see a lot of snow flakes and grey rod layering.

Edited by Jogumpie, 04 September 2013 - 01:45 PM.

[ickus305]

8 rods are much stiffer than 4.
Also, add more snowflakes, that will also help a good bit.

Keep playing around with them. you'll figure it out. It is a good start!

[RCT2123]

If you don't have a ton of snowflakes (I know I don't) just use the blue half of 3d connectors and use 7 rods.

[~stεεlspectrum~]

Haha, my tubes were weak on most of my old coasters. If you want stronger tubes, look at ickus305's or Gump's coasters. Its better to use 7 or 8 rods than to have only 4 rods with a rod down the center via 3ds.

[coastercrazy10]

To all: I will play around with 8 rods. Thanks for the input! The only negative is how much of a pain they are to get together and apart with 8 rods...

Tommy: I have a couple snowflakes lol.

-Ben

[Jogumpie]

When disassembling your (8-rod) tubes, be very very VERY careful. If you're not, you risk to break some grey rods. It's gonna ruin your fingers, because you have to press on the rods right next to the snow flakes, or else your grey rods will sure break.

[GreenAppleW]

I use 8 rods on my blue 3ds
and i use 3ds as much as your snowflakes and its realy strong.

[Blackkitty]

I hope this doesn't mean that you are switching to building tube supports. Stay with boxes!

[maarten12]

When disassembling your (8-rod) tubes, be very very VERY careful. If you're not, you risk to break some grey rods. It's gonna ruin your fingers, because you have to press on the rods right next to the snow flakes, or else your grey rods will sure break.

Use my tutorial !



Tubes with 8 rods is much stronger, that's because they do not bend that easy with 8 rods.

[Jogumpie]

^I was indeed looking for that tutorial, but I forgot you made it. That's exactly the way I do it.

[RCT2123]

^Ditto....

[LaMbChOpZ]

Changing the subject a bit, I always slide the connectors (snowflake or the blue connectors) together and it makes taking the rods off easier and it means you put less stress on the middle parts of the rod, but at the same time, too many connectors put together will cause too much stress.

[MichaelG]

^I sometimes use a similar way, maximum 3-4 though or it i hard and the rod either bends or snaps.

[Roy]

I've always carefully used a flat headed screw driver to prise the rods out from the snowflake connectors.

I've not broken any K'nex or fingers whilst using a screw driver!